Long-term swimming exercise does not modulate the Akt-dependent endothelial nitric oxide synthase phosphorylation in healthy mice

Can J Physiol Pharmacol. 2011 Jan;89(1):72-6. doi: 10.1139/y10-107.

Abstract

Molecular mechanisms by which exercise exerts cardiovascular benefits are poorly understood. Exercise-induced increase of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) phosphorylation through the protein kinase Akt has been shown to be a key mechanism underlying the beneficial effect of exercise in coronary artery disease patients. We examined whether this protective pathway might also be activated in long-term-exercised healthy mice. C57BL/6 wild-type mice swam for 24 weeks. A group of sedentary animals were used as controls. Aortic levels of total protein kinase Akt (protein kinase B), phosphorylated Akt at ser473 (p-Akt), total eNOS, phosphorylated eNOS at Ser1177 (p-eNOS), and PECAM-1 (platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1) were assessed by Western blotting. Protein expressions of Akt, p-Akt, eNOS, p-eNOS, and PECAM-1 were not modulated by 24 weeks of exercise. The Akt-dependent eNOS phosphorylation did not seem to be a primary molecular adaptation in response to long-term exercise in healthy mice.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III / metabolism*
  • Phosphorylation / physiology
  • Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / physiology*
  • Random Allocation
  • Swimming / physiology*
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt